The Problem
The re-introduction of native Indiana plants to a school environment to promote pollinators back to the environment to educate the youth in the importance of biodiversity and habitats.
The re-introduction of native Indiana plants to a school environment to promote pollinators back to the environment to educate the youth in the importance of biodiversity and habitats.
The Urban Greenhouse at Northside Middle School was created by a compassionate agriculture student ambassador at North High School Columbus. As an environmentalist, she was determined to improve the environment and inspire the younger youth to improve their natural surroundings. By communicating and collaborating with community partners the club was able to secure a project to plant native Indiana wildflowers in a concrete area of the school to create a native pollinator park. By working as a team we were able to introduce new plants to the area and encouraged wildlife back to the area. The 4 step formula worked in this project and cumulated in the summer when we welcomed and celebrated butterflies back to our school environment. Creating a pollinator park has allowed all of our students to make choices that have positively impacted their own school environment. Students started by growing native Indiana plants from seed in milk jugs through the winter. After nurturing these tiny plants through the winter they were able to transplant them in the spring and watch them grow. This project has taught the students compassion, the need to nurture all living species, and the celebration of the project when the plants bloomed. Funding received from this grant will be used to purchase native Indiana plants in the spring so that we can add and expand our planting area. Additional native plants will also out compete the weeds that grow in the area.
This project was a huge success. We transformed an area of our school courtyard and removed invasive species. We replaced the invasive species with Indiana Native plants that promoted biodiversity and encouraged pollinators and butterflies to the environment.
Monarch butterflies need milkweed to survive. Native plants in Indiana are beautiful and attract pollinators. Pollinators are a vital part of our food supply. Some plants grow very big and correct spacing is needed to allow for established growth.
Some of the species of plants.
Planning and selecting the Indiana plants. Seeing the transformation of the space.
Planning is essential.